Apple indirectly confirmed that it's having manufacturing issues with the Retina Mini when it didn't announce a release date for the new iPad Mini. It just said it would be out later in November. Meanwhile, the iPad Air is ready November 1, and we expect there will be plenty in stock.

If Apple was able to easily manufacture the Retina Mini, it would have set a firm release date.

Whenever that release date is announced, if you want one, you better jump on it right away. And if someone you know will want one as a present this year, you better jump on it right away. We have a feeling it's going to be pretty much impossible to get a Retina iPad Mini in December.